IUPUI premieres 'True Colors,' a look at bigotry and tolerance after Obama's re-election

April 11, 2013

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis will host the public premiere of an entertaining and provocative new play that explores perspectives of discrimination, bigotry and tolerance as gauged by reactions to the re-election of President Barack Obama.

Word of Mouth Productions will perform “True Colors,” written, produced and directed by Vernon A. Williams, on Tuesday, April 30, at Hine Hall Auditorium, formerly the University Place Conference Center, 850 W. Michigan St. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and curtains rise at 6 p.m.

“True Colors” features six poignant vignettes exploring differing ethnic, political and social persuasions reflected in separate private conversations set the morning after the 2012 U.S. presidential election. The dialogue forms a tapestry of expressions that mirror the mindset of a nation divided.

"These kinds of initiatives speak to the heart of authentic conversations with which we should engage. We are pleased to have 'True Colors' presented on the IUPUI campus,” said Zebulun Davenport, interim assistant chancellor of diversity, equity and inclusion at IUPUI.

The IUPUI Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the IUPUI Office of External Affairs are hosting the “True Colors” performance in conjunction with the Indianapolis Chapter Indiana Black Expo and Indianapolis Neal-Marshall Alumni Club.

Admission is free and open to the public. The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will ask the audience for contributions to support campus diversity initiatives.

The IUPUI performance is the first public performance of “True Colors.” The only previous performance was a private preview in January on the Indiana University Bloomington campus in commemoration of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday.